Gossip had followed the new Lord Hicklestone and his bride from their country estate to London. Well. Of course it had. The poor man’s predecessor had been a scoundrel and a rake of the worst sort, seducing maidens high and low then refusing to take any responsibility for the consequences. Within a month of the brother inheriting the earldom, he married a neighbour with a young daughter, the gossips in the local villages and in London had a field day, and the young couple arrived in Town to copious servings of cold shoulder and the cut direct.

But the Duchess of Haverford did not allow anyone to tell her what she should think. She invited them to tea, and her ladyship’s aunt and the child too. She asked no questions, but she observed. Lady Hicklestone and Miss Cleghorn acknowledged that Society was unwelcoming, but declared that they were not concerned about the opinions of those who did not form their own. A noble view, but impractical, and Lord Hicklestone’s frown hinted that he, too, saw the difficulties.

This little family deserved her support. “I am pleased to know you all, and I shall be opening doors for you,” she informed Lady Hicklestone as they stood to make their farewells. “You will begin to receive invitations. I trust you will accept them, for little Miss Estelle’s sake and for those of any future children, and for the good Lord Hicklestone might do in the House of Lords.”

Lady Hicklestone’s eyes widened and she nodded. “I had not thought of the impact on Edward and Estelle,” she admitted. “I shall follow your advice, Your Grace.”

***
To find out about Edward’s courtship of Anne, read “Anne Under Siege” in Chasing the Tale. This collection of eleven short stories is currently USD 99c, but will go up to $2.99 shortly.